Pop up Street Store for homeless hopes to break down barriers

A global pop-up clothing store for the homeless has arrived in Melbourne in the hope of addressing the stigma surrounding people living on the street.

The Street Store, which began in Cape Town earlier this year, encourages people to take items of clothing to the shop so those in need can help themselves and choose exactly what they like or need.

More than 130 stores have popped up around the world, including in Mexico, Canada, Norway, the United States and Brazil, and the Melbourne store will open on Saturday.

Marcus Crook, who runs the Homeless of Melbourne Facebook page, has been involved in bringing the movement to the city.

"The idea is people come along at about 11 o'clock to Federation Square and hang up an item of clothing they'd like to receive themselves, or something that they'd like to pass on," he said.

"It's not just a dumping ground for clothing that you don't want anymore, it's more like to pass on a gift for Christmas.

"It's just as much about interaction and changing attitudes towards the homelessness as well as clothing them and feeding them."

Mr Crook said he and a friend started Homeless of Melbourne to break down the stigma that was often attached to homelessness.

"I was working in the city a lot and could see the attitude towards it wasn't real great,' he said.

"A lot of people just jumped to the conclusion they're on alcohol or drugs, which in some cases that is a problem, but the majority of people we've spoken to have just been victims of circumstance or bad luck."

"It can happen to absolutely anyone."

Store 'to break down barriers' in the community

Mr Crook acknowledged opening the shop in the heart of Melbourne's CBD could prove intimidating for those in the homeless community or struggling to make ends meet.

"That thought had gone through our heads, but we've made sure it's going to be a welcoming and inclusive environment," he said.

"It's why we wanted to get some music involved and create a good vibe to make it an inviting and comfortable place."

But he said staging it in a public place would help people see and learn about those they were donating to.

He said it meant they would become more actively involved in the giving process.

"It's about getting people to physically hand over their clothes or a meal voucher," he said.

"It's all about breaking down the barriers between the two communities, showing that homeless people are people too, just like anyone else."

Time for 'a new generation to 'take action'

Kate Shanasy, from Free is Better, an organisation which provides free bottled water, also helped organise the event.

She said the Street Store concept did not start with the aim of becoming a global success, but kicked off after developing a large following on social media.